Electrically-controlled signal



July 27.1926.

B. B. MARTIN ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED SIGNAL Filed July is, 1924 Q p w m/ W 9 s aw a W w .1! H 0. 0. MW P '0 a 0 s 0 .B.,B.]farZirz gwvemtow Chm mg Patented July 27, 192%.

UNITED STATES BERT B. MARTIN, OF ADA, OHIO. V

ELECTRICALLY-CONTROLLED SIGNAL.

Application filed July 18, 1824. Serial No. 726,821.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in traffic signals for regulating tratlic across intersections and has for its principal object to provide a simple and efficient device which is electrically operated.

A further object of the invention is to provide an electrically operated traflic signal of the above mentioned character, which will at all times be positive and eliicient in its operation, an audible signal being simultaneously actuated when the visual signals are operated.

A further object of the invention is to provide an electrically operated traiiic signal of the above mentioned character, which ineludes two pairs of coactingsemaphores, the pairs being arranged at substantially right angles with respect to each other whereby the same are alternately disposed in an indicating position.

A further object of the invention is to provide an electrically operated traffic signal of the above mentioned character, which is simple in construction, inexpensive, strong and durable and furthermore adapted for the purposes for which it is designated.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a sectional view through the base and standard showing one pair of semaphores in an indicating position and the operating means therefor.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the traiiic signal embodying the present invention.

Figure 3 is a detail view of the circuit closing means for the audible signal, and

Figure l is a detail perspective view of the semaphore operating lever.

In the drawing wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 1 designates a hollow base and extending upwardly thereform is the hollow standard 2 which is substantially square in cross section as is clearly illustrated in the drawing.

The upper end of the standard is closed as illustrated at 3 and supported thereon is an enlarged globe i in which is mounted an electric lamp 4i for the purpose of illuminating the trafiic signal Each cf the sides of the standard Q has a longitudinally extending slot 6 provided therein and the purpose thereof is to provide a means for receiving the semaphore the construction of which will hereinafter be more fully described. Arranged in the standard 2 adjacent the respective sides thereof and spaced inwardly therefrom directly behind theslots provided therein are the inner walls 7.

Pivotally supported adjacent their inner ends in the upper portion of the standard and adapted for swinging movement with respect to said slot are the semaphores 8. The pivotal supporting means therefor is illustrated at 9 in the drawing. The Semi! phores are arranged in pairs so that one pair of opposed semaphores will operate at one time and alternately with respect to the other pair of opposed semaphores.

Each semaphore comprises a casing in which is arranged an electric lamp and the opposite sides of the casing has provided thereon suitable indicia which is visible from a suitable distance. The indicia preferably consists in the provision of the word Stop and any suitable means may be provided for illuminating the lamp in each of the semaphore casings.

The inner ends of the semaphores are offset as illustrated at 10 and connected to the inner end of one semaphore of each pair is the elongated rod 11, the same extending downwardly within the central portion of the standard and through a suitable guide 12 provided between the inner walls 7 in the manner clearly illustrated in Figure 1. The other semaphore of the pair to which is connected the rod 11 is connected to the rod 11 by means of the link 13. The upper end of the link is connected to the offset end of said inner end of the semaphore while i the lower end of the link is connected to the mtermediate portion of the rod 11 as at 14. Arranged on the lower portion of each of the rods 11 are the upper and lower collars 15 and 16 respectively. The purpose of these collars will also hereinafter be more fully described.

J ournaled in suitable brackets 17 and sup ported in the hollow base 1 is the Crank shaft 18. A gear wheel 19 is carried by one end of the crank shaft and the same is ada ted to mesh with a pinion 20 mounted on t e outer end of a driven shaft 21 which in turn is driven by a suitable electric motor designated generally by the numeral.

through the medium of the pinion 28 on the outer end of the drive shaft 24: of the motor and the gear wheel 25 carried, by the shaft 21. This construction is clearly illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawing.

Connected at their lower ends to the crank portions of the crank shaft 18 are the operating levers 26, two of such levers are provided for cooperation with the rods in the manner clearly illustrated in Figure 1. The upper end of each lever is disposed laterally as illustrated at 27 and terminates in the looped portion 28 which is slida-ble on each rod 11 between the collars 15 and 16 carried thereon.

For the purpose of actuating an audible signal simultaneous with the operation of the visual signal, I provide a stationary contact 29 in the hollow base 1 and the same is electrically connected to the audible signal comprising in the present instance a gong or hell 30 in any well known manner. The gear wheel 19 which is carried by the outer end of the crank shaft 18 has arranged thereon at diametrically opposite points the contacts 31 and 32 respectively for cooperation with the stationary contact 29 in the manner clearly illustrated in Figure 3.

The operation of the improved signaling apparatus is as follows.

Assuming that the arms 8 are in the full operative position as shown in Figure 1, it will be seen that as the crank shaft moves in a direction toward the observer and the lever 26 starts to move upwardly, these arms will move gradually down toward ineffective position. The weight of the arms will exert an upward pull upon the rod 11 and link 13, thus holding the lowermost collar 16 in contact with the loop 28 of said lever. At about the time this loop reaches the upper collar 16, the arms will have then been completely lowered and the complemental or right hand lever 26 will come into operation, within a short time after the down wardly moving arms have been concealed, and will exert a downward pull upon the right hand rod 11 as shown in Figure 1. Thus this rod and the other pair of semaphore arms will move gradually upward and will assume a horizontal display position. This continued rotation of the crank shaft will operate the two pairs of the semaphore arms in succession to give direction signals to adjacent motorists.

As the crank shaft rotates, the gear wheel 19 carried thereby and carrying the contacts 31 and 32 will periodically engage the sta tionary contact 29 closing the circuit to the audible signal. and permitting the same to automatically operate simultaneously with the position or" the semaphores in an indicating position. The semaphores Will as above set forth operate in pairs and will be alternately swung to an indicating position for regulating the traliic at an intersection automatically.

The simplicity in which my device is con structed will obviate the necessity of cmploying a trailic policeman at an intersection and a visual and audible signal will at all times be positive and eflicient in their operation.

lVhile I have shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be under- SUOOd that various changes in the size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is 1. A. traffic signal comprising a hollow base, a standard extending upwardly there from, semaphores pivotally supported at their inner ends on the opposite sides of the upper portion of the standards and arranged in pairs, means for alternately moving the pairs of semaphores into a horizontal indicating position, said means comprising a rod connected to the inner end of each of the pairs of semaphores, collars on each rod and arranged in spaced relation, and an operating lever for each rod having the upper end thereof loo 38d and engaging each rod between the collars thereon, the looped portion of one lever adapted to engage the collar on the rod alternately with the looped portion of the other lever and the collars on the other rod and means for actuating the operating levers.

2. A trafiic signal comprising a hollow base, a standard extending upwardly therefrom, semaphores pivotally supported at their inner ends on the opposite sides of the upper portion of the standards and arranged in pairs, means for alternately moving the pairs of semaphores into a horizontal indicating position, said means comprising a rot connected to the inner end of each of the pairs of semaphores, collars on each rod and arranged in spaced relation, an operating lever for each rod having the upper end thereof looped and engaging each rod be tween the collars thereon, the looped portion of one lever adapted to engage the collar on the rod alternately with the looped portion of the other lever and the collars on the other rod, and means for actuating said lever.

3. A tratiic signal comprising a hollow base, a standard extending upwardly therefrom, semaphores pivotally supported at their inner ends on the opposite sides of the upper portion of the standards and arranged in pairs, means for alternately moving the pairs-of semaphores into a horizontal indicating position, said means comprising a rod connected to the inner end of each of the pairs of semaphores, collars on each rod lit) i so

and arranged in spaced relation, an operating lever for each rod 11. ving the upper end thereof looped and engaging each rod between the collars thereon, the looped portion of one lever adapted to engage the collar on the rod alternately With the looped por tion of the other lever and the collars on the other rod, and means for actuating said lever, said means comprising a crank shaft arranged in the base, the lower ends of the 10 levers being connected to the crank portions of said shaft and operating means for said shaft.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

BERT B. MARTIN. 

